Tableaux with 'lions', toys, bullet trains at Republic Day parade

New Delhi: A giant mechanised lion symbolic of 'Make in India' policy, huge mock-up of Karnataka's famed wooden toys, scale model of Sardar Patel's Statue of Unity, bullet train and safety and education of girl child will be some of the themes of the tableaux lined up for Republic Day.

A total of 25 tableaux would participate in the parade, with 16 of them belonging to states and the union territories.

States registering their presence this year on the Rajpath include Assam, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Gujarat and Maharashtra, while newly-born Telangana will make its Republic Day debut.

Besides, tableaux on Narendra Modi-led government's 'Make in India', 'Jan Dhan Yojna' and 'Beti Bachchao Beti Padhao' policies will also find their place on the ceremonial boulevard at the 66th Republic Day.

Senior officials of the Defence Ministry said among the vibrant and majestic culture and "smart ideas" of the country on display, two would particularly appeal to US President Barack Obama, who will be the Chief Guest on the occasion.

"I think among all the vibrant tableaux on display before him, two particularly would exercise a greater appeal on his senses. The 'Make in India' tableau as well as the 'Beti Bachchao, Beti Padhao' one, helmed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development," Public Relations Officer, Defence, Dhananjay Mohanty said.

The 'Make in India' tableau features a giant-sized 3D lion made out of gear tooth-wheels, reflective of the policy logo.

Among the states, which have missed the bus this year include Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala and Delhi.

Amid murmurs that many states where BJP was not in power were not included in the parade, Mohanty said that "all selections were based on merit and performance only."

"The selection process is rigorous and merit-based. All tableaux have made the cut after going through that procedure only," he said.

Among the nine tableaux from Union ministries and departments, Indian Railways will showcase its ambition plan to connect India through high-speed rail network, by displaying a model of a bullet train.